FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta talks about his relationship with Lionel Messi and pays tribute to the club legend

Joan Laporta‘s first year as FC Barcelona president in his second term in 2021 coincided with Lionel Messi’s abrupt departure from the club due to financial constraints and issues with the star’s contract extension. Some years after that momentous event, the club chairman talked about his relationship with Messi and a potential tribute to the Barca legend.

Of Barcelona faced with financial problems under former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the 2021 elections marked the first time Messi reportedly cast a vote. Although he never made it public, Laporta’s close ties with the Messi family reportedly played a major role in his election. However, after taking office in March, Messi left as Barcelona failed to resolve his contract situation, straining the relationship between the star and the president.

In an interview with outlet 3CatLaporta reflected on his relationship with the Argentine star years after the event: “Messi and I have had a very good relationship. Things went wrong when we didn’t renew his contract, but since then we’ve more or less patched things up a bit.. What we hope is that he can receive the great tribute he deserves.”

Since Messi’s sudden move to Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentinian has not returned to FC Barcelonawhich indicates a clear distance from the club’s president. Now Laporta says the relationship with the club legend has improved and he is eager to organize the long-awaited tribute.

How will Barcelona honor Messi?

Messi has spent most of his professional and personal life in Barcelona, ​​where he has built a lasting bond with the Catalan city – something he has referenced several times since leaving the club. Laporta is now focusing on strengthening his relationship with the Argentine star through a special tributethat could take place in the coming months.

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At the start of the 2025-2026 season, Laporta discussed the plan for Messi’s tribute in an interview with Mundo Deportivo: “Back then, during the final stages of Leo’s time at Barcelona, ​​we used to say: The best thing would be to inaugurate the new Spotify Camp Nou with a tribute to Leo Messi. It is something we would absolutely be very happy with, but of course it also depends on Leo and his family. I hope it happens. It would be really beautiful.”

However, the inauguration of the new Spotify Camp Nou has been repeatedly delayed in recent months, from the Joan Gamper Trophy to the present day. According to Sports newspaper, stadium technicians are now targeting a weekend opening on November 23, to coincide with Barcelona’s home match against Athletic Bilbaoa date when the long-awaited tribute to Lionel Messi could finally take place.